A South Carolina judge who recently ruled against the Department of Justice (DOJ) is back in the news after her home burned down. The blaze erupted Saturday on Edisto Island, destroying Judge Diane Goodstein’s waterfront home. Authorities said three individuals were hospitalized after jumping from the elevated first floor.
Rescuers reached them by kayak because of the marshy terrain.
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Officials have not released their identities. However, Goodstein was not home at the time of the fire, according to ABC News. ABC also reports that Goodstein’s husband and son were among the victims forced to jump from the first floor.
Investigators stated that they found no evidence to suggest that the fire was intentionally started. They added that there are no signs of an explosion, despite widespread online speculation about a potential attack.
Judge’s connection to President Trump
Goodstein is the judge who last month temporarily blocked South Carolina from handing over its voter database to the DOJ.
The database includes millions of voter files that include personal names. addresses, driver’s license numbers and Social Security numbers. The administration requested the files after Trump signed an executive order in March prohibiting non-citizens from registering to vote.
The state supreme court later reversed that decision.
Response to the fire
The high court requested privacy, saying: “We respectfully suggest that common decency be followed by all in respecting the privacy of the Goodstein family during this difficult time.”
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster echoed that message. He wrote that there’s no evidence someone set the fire intentionally, and he urged people not to spread unverified information.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
All three injured individuals are receiving treatment at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
